Garment for use with sensitive skin, and method and fabric for use in making same

ABSTRACT

Garments designed for use by people with sensitive skin, such as those suffering from eczema or dermatitis, which enhance wearer comfort are described. The garments have a lower coefficient of friction and superior moisture transport properties relative to conventional cotton T-shirts currently recommended for wear by sensitive skin sufferers. The garments are made from polyester fabrics which are specially constructed to minimize the coefficient of friction, optimize moisture transport, and provide antimicrobial characteristics. Fabrics and methods or making and using the fabrics are also described.

BACKGROUND

At one time or another, a large segment of the population suffers fromsensitive skin or another skin disorder, including but not limited toatopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, injury fromburns, allergies, bedsores, etc. (Such ailments will be collectivelyreferred to hereinafter as “sensitive skin”.) As will be readilyappreciated by such sufferers, the wearing of clothing can often causegreat discomfort, due to the irritation resulting from the garmentsrubbing against the skin, seam irritation, and the like.

At least one attempt has been made to provide garments that are morecomfortable to such sensitive skin sufferers. For example, one suchproduct is made from yarns that are a blend of cotton and rayon with achitosan additive. This product was touted as having a “softer hand”than cotton, superior moisture retention (that was purported to enablethe fabric to hydrate the skin), and bacteriastatic activity. However,testing has indicated that the fabric had a Kawabata System surfaceroughness that was not significantly different from that of cottonfabrics, and that the fabrics did not exhibit any significantantimicrobial effect.

Currently, 100% cotton fabrics are recommended by dermatologists totheir patients who suffer from sensitive skin. While providing greatercomfort than many other garments, these fabrics still fail to provideoptimal wearer comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a fabric having a very low coefficient offriction in order that it does not irritate the skin. In addition, thefabric has the ability to transport moisture away from the skin, whichhas surprisingly been found to enhance the comfort of sensitive skinsufferers (contrary to prior understandings, as noted above with respectto the conventional fabrics designed for people with sensitive skin.) Inaddition, the fabric also desirably has an antimicrobial action, whichis effective in preventing the growth of bacteria in the fabric.

In addition, the invention is directed to methods of making suchfabrics, and garments made from the fabrics, which are specificallyconstructed such that when worn as a base layer, they enhance thecomfort of sensitive skin sufferers. In addition, it is believed thatthe unique fabrics will facilitate the healing of the wearer's skin.Furthermore, the invention describes a method for enhancing the comfortof a person having sensitive skin. In addition, it is believed that thefabrics and garments of the invention may help prevent rashes and otherskin irritations, by virtue of the superior combination of uniqueproperties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, specificpreferred embodiments of the invention are described to enable a fulland complete understanding of the invention. It will be recognized thatit is not intended to limit the invention to the particular preferredembodiment described, and although specific terms are employed indescribing the invention, such terms are used in a descriptive sense forthe purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limitation.

The fabrics of the instant invention are designed to have a very lowcoefficient of friction, in order to minimize skin irritation.Preferably, the fabrics have a dynamic coefficient of friction (asmeasured according to ASTM Test D1894-00, walewise and coursewisedirections measured and averaged) of about 0.26 or less on the fabricsurface designed to contact the skin (e.g. the fabric back), and morepreferably less than about 0.23, when tested after five home washes. Inaddition, the fabrics also desirably have a low static coefficient offriction (as measured according to ASTM Test D1894-00, walewise andcoursewise directions measured and averaged) of about 0.27 or less onthe fabric surface designed to contact the skin (e.g. the fabric back),and more preferably less than about 0.25, when tested after five homewashes. As illustrated below with the examples, this is a lower level offriction than those of cotton T-shirt fabrics. The fabric also desirablyhas a limberness that is greater than that of cotton, as evidenced by alower bending measurement under the Kawabata system bending test(described below.)

The fabric also has the ability to transport excess moisture away from awearer's skin at a level that is superior to a similar cotton fabric.This feature is evidenced below by the results to the vertical wicking,drop absorbency, and drying time. In addition, the moisture transportedaway from the fabric per unit time (i.e. drying rate) is greater than orequal to a comparable cotton fabric. As noted previously, this isopposite of prior fabrics designed for sensitive skin sufferers, whichwere typically designed to maintain moisture against the skin.Preferably, after five home washes, the fabrics have a vertical wickingof about 3 inches or greater after five minutes of test duration, a drytime from saturation of about 170 minutes or less (at 21 degrees C. and65% relative humidity) for a 62 cm square sample, when tested accordingto the test methods described below. Moisture transport during dryingshould be about 0.023 g/min/sq m or greater for the 62 cm square samplesize.

The fabric also desirably has an antimicrobial action that will beeffective in preventing the growth of bacteria in the fabric. This isachieved by providing the fabric with a functioning antimicrobial, whichfor purposes of this application is defined as an antimicrobial causingthe fabric to have, after 5 home washings, a 2 log reduction or greaterfor Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Staphylococcus using the Vial Drop Methodfor Hydrophilic Textiles (described below.) This component is preferablytopically applied to the fabric, such as by padding it onto the fabric.This antimicrobial action is desirably present through at least fivehome launderings of the product, and preferably through at least 25 homelaunderings. (For purposes of this application, whenever “homelaunderings” or “home washes” are specified, unless otherwise indicated,this means washing according to the wash method outlined in AATCC TestMethod 135-1992 using powdered Tide® detergent, which is commerciallyavailable from Procter & Gamble.)

To this end, the fabric is preferably a knit fabric made from polyesteryarns. In one embodiment of the invention, the fabric is knit from ringor jet spun yarns made from staple fibers of about 1.5 denier or less.The yarns preferably are about 27 cotton count or finer in size, andhave a twist multiple of about 3.0-4.0. The fabrics are knit in aconventional manner using the above described yarns. Preferably, thefabric is at least 20 cut or greater (i.e., has 20 wales per inch orgreater), and more preferably, the fabric has at least 24 wales perinch. The fabric is desirably circular knit, though it can also be flatknit, warp knit, or knit in some other manner, as will be readilyappreciated by those of ordinary skill in art.

The fabric is then desirably scoured, treated with chemistries designedto impart characteristics such as moisture management, anti-pilling(where appropriate), whitening agents, soil release, chemistriesdesigned to facilitate the manufacturing processes (e.g. defoamers) andthe like. The fabric is then desirably heatset in a conventional manner(such as on a tenter), and an antimicrobial agent is then desirablyapplied. Preferably, the fabric is treated with an antimicrobialcomposition, in a manner like that described in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 6,575,574 to Child et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,668 to Green etal, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/586,381 to Green et al,filed Jun. 2, 2000; Ser. No. 09/586,053 to Li et al, filed Jun. 2, 2000;Ser. No. 09/586,081 to Green et al, filed Jun. 2, 2000; Ser. No.10/146,642 to Green et al, filed May 15, 2002; Ser. No. 10/439,130 toGreen et al, filed May 15, 2003; Ser. No. 09/589,179 to Green et al,filed Jun. 2, 2000; Ser. No. 10/146,684 to Green et al, filed May 15,2002; Ser. No. 10/437,601 to Green et al, filed May 14, 2003; Ser. No.09/585,762 to Van Hyning, filed Jun. 2, 2000; Ser. No. 10/307,027 toKreider et al, filed Nov. 29, 2002; and Ser. No. 10/306,968 to Kreideret al, filed Nov. 29, 2002, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference. More specifically, a mix is desirablyprepared in water (preferably of low sodium content <15 ppm), with about1-5% polyurethane binder (e.g. Witcobond brand polyurethane availablefrom Crompton Corp. of Middlebury, Conn.), about 0.1-2% AlphaSan®antimicrobial (available from Milliken Chemical of Spartanburg, S.C.),0-4% of a hydrophilic agent (hydrophilic polyester dispersion such asLubril QCJ available from Eastman Chemical), and 0-1% of a wetting agent(e.g. Igepal DAP-9, available from Rhodia North America). This formulais then desirably added to the fabrics with a wet pick up on dry fabricof 90-110% using a pad bath and nip rolls set at 35-40 psi. The fabricswhere then dried at 220-260° F. in a tenter. The finished fabricdesirably has a weight of about 3.8 to about 5 oz/sq yard, a shrinkageof about 6%×6% or less after 3 home washes, a pilling rating of about3.0 or greater (after 5 home washes), and a soil release rating to cornoil of about 4.0 or greater (after 5 washes), and preferably has 27 orgreater wales per inch and 38. or greater courses per inch (it beingunderstood that the number of courses and wales per inch will beadjusted to account for the size of the yarns used and the knitconstruction).

In another embodiment of the invention, the fabric is knit from filamentpolyester yarns having a denier per filament of less than one (i.e.microdenier yarns), and more preferably about 0.80 or less. The yarnsare desirably false twist or air textured, and have a denier of about160 or finer. The fibers are desirably untwisted. The fabrics are knitin a conventional manner, preferably on a 20 cut or greater circularknit machine. The fabrics are then scoured, processed in dye jet withone or more chemistries designed to optimize moisture management,optical brighteners, soil release agents, chemistries designed tofacilitate the manufacturing processes (e.g. defoamers, etc.) and thelike. The fabrics desirably have a finished weight of about 3.6-4.4oz/sq yard, a shrinkage of about 6%×6% or less after three home washes,a pilling rating of about 4.5 or greater (after 5 home washes) and asoil release of about 4.0 or greater (after 5 home washes), and haspreferably has 27 or greater wales per inch and 38 or greater coursesper inch (it being understood that the number of courses and wales perinch will be adjusted to account for the size of the yarns used and theknit construction).

EXAMPLES Example A

A 28 cut fabric was jersey knit in a conventional manner from 27/1 ringspun yarns made from 1.5 dpf super-white round cross-section polyesterhaving a 3.2 twist multiple. The fabric was then scoured and treated ina dye jet with dye chemistry including 1% defoamer, 0.75%isotridecycloxypropylaminopropylamine (an alkyl amine available fromTomah Products of Milton, Wis. in the manner described incommonly-assigned published U.S. patent application Serial No.20030046771 A1 to Kimbrell), 0.50% caustic at 50% concentration—hold at274° F. for one hour. The fabric was rinsed and dropped, thenneutralized with 1% acetic acid at 84% concentration and dropped, thentreated with 0.8% defoamer, 0.25% lubricant, 0.1% surfactant, 3% LubrilQCJ, 0.45% acetic acid at 84% concentration, and 0.15% opticalbrightener (all % are on weight of the fabric) and held at 266° F. for20 minutes. This was followed by a final rinse. The fabric was then heatset at 370° F. at a speed of 30 yards per minute. The fabric was heatset with an initial track width of 70 inches and an exit width was 70inches overall. A mixture of 2.5% Witcobond polyurethane binder, 0.5%Igepal DAP-9, and 0.5% Alphasan® silver zirconium phosphateantimicrobial chemistry (available from Milliken Chemical ofSpartanburg, S.C.), with the balance of the formulation being waterhaving a low sodium content (less than 15 parts per million), wereapplied via a pad using a wet pick up of 100%. The fabric was thenpassed through a tenter at a width of 70 inches at 240° F. at a speed of30 yards per minute, achieving a final width of 70 inches overall. Thefabric had a finished weight of 4.3 oz/sq yard, and 35 wales per inchand 42 courses per inch.

Example B

A 28 cut fabric was jersey knit in a conventional manner from 150 denier(2/70/100) false twist textured yarns made from semi-dull roundcross-section polyester. The fabric was then scoured. The fabric wasthen treated in a dye jet with a dye chemistry including 1% defoamer,0.25% lubricant, 0.1% surfactant, 3% Lubril QCJ, 0.45% acetic acid at84% concentration, and 0.15% optical brightener. The fabric was held at266° F. for 20 minutes and rinsed. All % s are on weight of fabric. Thefabric was then heat set at 370° F. at a speed of 30 yards per minute.The initial track width was 68 inches and the exit width was 68 inchesoverall. A mixture of 2.5% Witcobond polyurethane and 0.5% Alphasan®antimicrobial chemistry (available from Milliken Chemical ofSpartanburg, S.C.), 0.5% Igepal DAP-9 were applied via a pad using a wetpick up of 100%. The fabric was then passed through a tenter at a widthof 68 inches at 240° F. at a speed of 30 yards per minute, achieving afinal width of 65 inches overall. The fabric had a finished weight of3.86 oz/sq yard, and 38 wales per inch and 42 courses per inch.

Example C

Example C was a commercially available conventional 100% cotton T-shirtfabric (Jockey Classic, available from Jockey International of Kenosha,Wis.) of the variety typically recommended by dermatologists for wear bytheir patients with sensitive skin. The shirt was made from 28/1 ringspun combed cotton yarns, and had 34 wales per inch and 41 courses perinch.

Test Methods

Shrinkage: Fabric shrinkage was measured according to AATCC Test Method135-1992 after five home washes at 105° F.

Pilling: Pilling was tested according to ASTM Test Method D-3512-02after 60 minutes using a rating scale of 1-5 (5 being the best.)

Soil Release: Soil release for corn oil was tested according to AATCCTest Method 130-1995, using a 1-5 rating scale (5 being the best.)

Dynamic Coefficient of Friction: Dynamic coefficient of friction wasmeasured according to ASTM Test Method D1894-00. The back of the fabric(which will be the skin-contacting surface) was tested in each of thewalewise and coursewise directions for 48 samples per fabric, and themeasurements were averaged.

Static Coefficient of Friction: Static coefficient of friction wasmeasured according to ASTM Test Method D 1894-00. The back of the fabric(which will be the skin-contacting surface) was tested in each of thewalewise and coursewise directions for 48 samples per fabric, and themeasurements were averaged.

Drop Absorbency: Drop absorption was tested using the following DropAbsorbency test. (modified MTCC Test Method 39-1980.) The test isdesigned for the quick evaluation of wettability. The principle is thata drop of water is allowed to fall from a given height onto the surfaceof a taut test specimen. The timer required for the water drop to becompletely absorbed by the fabric is measured and recorded. The testrequires a straight medicine dropper delivering 15-25 drops permilliliter, a stop watch or equivalent timer, distilled or demineralizedwater, and an embroidery hoop. Fabric specimens are allowed to reachequilibrium with the environment of the testing area. A sample largeenough to test three different areas is required (preferably a fullwidth sample.) The sample is identified as to whether it is “asreceived” or the number of washes before testing. The procedure of the39-1980 was followed, with the medicine dropper being used in place ofthe burette of the test method, and the height of the dropper was oneinch (vs. ⅜ inch.)

Vertical Wicking: Vertical wicking was tested after five minutesaccording to the following Vertical Wicking Test procedure. The purposeof the test was to determine the rate at which water will wick on testspecimens suspended in water. The test requires 500 ml Erlenmeyerflasks, straight pins (approximately 3 inches in length), and foodcoloring (any color to make water level visible on specimen. Theprocedure is as follows: Fill 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks with 200 mlcolored water (fill as many flasks as specimens to be tested.) Cut 6inch by 1 inch strip of specimens to be tested (6 inch length is cut inthe wale direction of the fabric.) Pierce the top edge of the strip(approximately ⅛-¼ inch from the top) with a long straight pin so thatthe pin runs parallel with the short fabric dimension. Suspend the stripfrom the pin in a flask filled with the colored water, so that thefabric touches the water. After one minute, remove the strip from theflask, measure the water level on the strip in inches and record, andreturn the strip to the water. Repeat the removal and measurement stepsat 3 minutes and 5 minutes, and at each minute thereafter until thewater level reaches 6 inches or one hour has elapsed.

Drying Time and Drying Rate: To determine the drying time and dryingrate, standard GATS test was first performed. All tests were performedat 21° C. and 65% relative humidity using the Gravimetric AbsorbencyTesting System (“GATS”). This test system is well known to those ofordinary skill in the art, and is available at a variety of places,including the Center for Research on Textile Protection and Comfort andNorth Carolina State University College of Textiles (Raleigh, N.C.)Using the GATS, the fluid was absorbed radially outward along the planeof the sample from a single point of ¼ inch diameter in the bottom of acircular porous test plate. The samples were die-cut from test fabricswith a circular die of 3.5 inch diameter (62 cm²) and weighed. The GATSis interfaced with a high-speed data acquisition system. Output from theGATS balance is automatically collected, displayed and evaluated byLabView®software, which provides a plot of the amount of fluid absorbedas a function of time.

To conduct a test, a special specimen cell and cover was used. The testspecimen is positioned on the plate that contains numerous fine pores.This permits the test specimen to contact the entire area, and thusprovides a more accurate simulation of a fabric in contact with sweatwetted skin.

A special cover is used to induce transport of fluid through thethickness and evaporation from the surface. The cover has 54, 3-inchlong pins uniformly distributed over the area of the test space. Thesepins act to separate the cover plate from the fabric sample and permitair to circulate over the surface of the test sample. The amount offluid lost from the reservoir is recorded as a function of testduration. There is a 2 mm diameter hole at the bottom center of thisporous plate that is connected to a fluid reservoir. The level of thecell is adjusted to give zero hydrostatic head. This guarantees thatabsorbency takes place strictly on demand. A solenoid valve suppliesfluid from the fluid reservoir equal to the amount the specimen canabsorb. A fluid sensor automatically weighs the amount of watersupplied. The characteristic output can be explained as follows: oncethe fabric sample is placed on the porous plate, it imbibes fluid untilthe fabric becomes saturated. Absorption behavior is evidenced by therapid rate of fluid loss, indicated by the high slope in the initialphase of the test. After the absorption phase, moisture transfer occursby evaporation, with some absorption to replace fluid losses.

From the output, maximum absorbent capacity, C and flow rate, Q_(o), aredetermined. Also, specific flow rate, Q, is calculated by dividing theflow rate, Q_(o), by the weight of the dry fabric (grams fluid/grams dryfabric-min). Specific details are given below.

Experimental Conditions:

Test fluid: distilled water.

Parameters:

measurement parameters include:

-   -   W_(d) dry weight of the conditioned sample specimen, grams    -   W_(w) wet weight of the sample specimen at the end of the test,        grams    -   V amount of water passed from the reservoir during 1000 seconds,        grams    -   T time, min        -   This is the point where the extrapolated absorption and            evaporation areas of the curve intersect.

The reported absorption parameters calculated from the abovemeasurements include:

-   -   C absorbent capacity, grams, (W_(w)-W_(d))        -   The amount of water contained in the sample at the end of            the test.    -   Q absorbency rate, g/min        -   The rapid rate of fluid loss, indicated by the high slope of            the initial phase of the test.

Evaporation is calculated from the above measurements:

-   -   E_(p) percent evaporation, (V-C/V)*100

Drying rate and drying time testing were performed after completion ofthe GATS testing. Dry time was calculated after first determining theabsorbent capacity of the fabric (using the GATS test described above).The test is performed to determine the drying properties (drying rate ortime until dry) of saturated fabric. The exact amount of water to add tothe fabric sample is determined by the calculated absorbent capacitydetermined in the test above. Again, the dry weight of the samplespecimen is determined. The averaged maximum absorption capacity valueobtained during the demand wettability test is used as initial amount ofwater applied to fabric. After the water has saturated the fabric thewet weight is recorded, airflow, across the plate, of 1.5 m/s is set,and timing is started. Weight is recorded after 10-minute intervals.When the weight is constant for 3 successive readings, the final weightis determined. Reported parameters are:

-   -   W_(d) the conditioned weight of fabric before test, grams    -   W_(w) weight of saturated fabric at the beginning of the test,        grams    -   T_(d) duration for fabric to dry from saturation, min

Dry rate was calculated by taking the amount of moisture driven off thefabric per unit time, and converting to a square meter basis.

Bending Force: Bending force (B) was measured using the KawabataEvaluation System (“Kawabata System”). The Kawabata System was developedby Dr. Sueo Kawabata, Professor of Polymer Chemistry at Kyoto Universityin Japan, as a scientific means to measure, in an objective andreproducible way, the “hand” of textile fabrics. This is achieved bymeasuring basic mechanical properties that have been correlated withaesthetic properties relating to hand (e.g. smoothness, fullness,stiffness, softness, flexibility, and crispness), using a set of fourhighly specialized measuring devices that were developed specificallyfor use with the Kawabata System. These devices are as follows:

-   -   Kawabata Tensile and Shear Tester (KES FB1)    -   Kawabata Pure Bending Tester (KES FB2)    -   Kawabata Compression Tester (KES FB3)    -   Kawabata Surface Tester (KES FB4)

KES FB1 through 3 are manufactured by the Kato Iron Works Col, Ltd.,Div. Of Instrumentation, Kyoto, Japan. KES FB4 (Kawabata Surface Tester)is manufactured by the Kato Tekko Co., Ltd., Div. Of Instrumentation,Kyoto, Japan. In each case, the measurements were performed according tothe standard Kawabata Test Procedures, with four 8-inch×8-inch samplesof each type of fabric being tested, and the results averaged. Care wastaken to avoid folding, wrinkling, stressing, or otherwise handling thesamples in a way that would deform the sample. The die used to cut eachsample was aligned with the yarns in the fabric to improve the accuracyof the measurements. A lower value means a fabric is less stiff. Twelvesamples were taken in each of the coursewise and walewise directions ofthe fabric back, averaged for all, and are listed below. All samples hadbeen home washed five times prior to testing.

Antimicrobial Activity: Antimicrobial activity was tested forStaphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella Pneumoniae using the Vial DropMethod for Hydrophilic Textiles (modified AATCC Method 100-1999.) Themethod, which measures the reduction in viability of a suspension ofbacteria in contact with textiles or other absorbent articles, isdescribed below. An overnight culture of a selected bacterial strain isdiluted into 100 mM sodium/potassium phosphate buffer to a concentrationof ca. 5×10⁵ cells/ml. The viability of the inoculated sample isenumerated with a Serial Dilution-Nutrient Agar Plate Method or“Most-probable Number Technique.” A drop (0.5 ml) of the diluted cultureis added to a glass vial containing 0.5 g of sample (fabric samples arecut into 1×1 cm pieces) and a separate vial containing 0.5 g of anuntreated control. The treated sample and untreated control are thenincubated at 37° C. for 18-22 hrs in a high humidity environment.Following incubation, 10 ml of Tryptic Soy Broth with 0.2% of anon-ionic surfactant are added to the vials followed by vigorousagitation to remove the viable cells from the surface for the textilesample. The number of viable bacteria in the wash solution is enumeratedwith a Serial Dilution-Nutrient Agar Plate Method or Most-probableNumber Technique. Efficacy is expressed as: [Log (# of viable cells/mlfrom the untreated control)−Log (# of viable cells/ml from the treatedsample)]. In all studies with this method, the number of viable cellsafter exposure to the treated samples is compared to the number ofviable cells after exposure to a standard untreated polyester (PET)fabric control. The maximum log-reduction that can be measured in thetest is a function of the number of viable cells in contact with theinternal control after 18-22 hrs and the minimum number of viable cellsthat can be recovered from the sample. Testing was conducted on fabricsboth prior to and after they had been home washed five times.

K. pneumoniae (LR=Log Reduction) # LR Trial LR Trial Sample ID #1 #2 LRAvg LR Stdev Viability 9.30E+04 8.00E+04 8.65E+04 9.19E+03 Internal−2.47 −1.98 −2.23 0.35 control 1 Ex. A 0 5.73 5.18 5.46 0.39 wash 2 Ex A5 3.17 1.84 2.51 0.94 wash 3 Ex B 0 5.73 5.18 5.46 0.39 wash 4 Ex. B 51.93 5.18 3.55 2.30 wash Maximum 5.73 5.18 5.46 0.39 Value

S. aurues # LR Trial LR Trial Sample ID #1 #2 LR Avg LR Stdev Viability7.40E+05 8.80E+06 4.77/e+06 5.70E+06 Internal 0.20 1.28 0.74 0.76control 1 Ex. A 0 2.81 2.31 2.56 0.35 wash 2 Ex A 5 2.39 2.81 2.60 0.29wash 3 Ex B 0 2.31 2.31 2.31 0.00 wash 4 Ex. B 5 2.31 3.96 3.13 1.17wash Maximum 3.96 3.96 3.96 0.00 Value

Test Ex. A Ex. B Ex. C Shrinkage 5.8% × 4.8% 4.0% × 2.5% 6.8% × 3.5%(walewise × coursewise) Pilling 3.5 after 60 min. 5.0 after 60 min. 5.0after 60 min. Soil Release 4.8 4.2 5.0 Drop Absorbency 1 second 1 second1 second (after 5 home washings) Vertical Wicking 3.7 inches after 5.2inches after 3.7 inches (after 5 home 5 minutes 5 minutes after 5washings) minutes Dry Time (at 160.5 minutes 92 minutes 189 minutes 21°C. and 65% Relative Humidity) (after 5 home washings) Drying Rate (after.024 g/min/sq m .030 g/min/sq m .022 g/min/ 5 home sq m washings)Dynamic 0.221 0.205 0.336 Coefficient of Friction Static Coefficient0.248 0.237 0.338 of Friction Bending Force .010 gf-cm²/cm .008gf-cm²/cm .024 gf-cm²/ cm Klebsiella 2.3 log reduction 2.3 log reductionN/A pneumoniae Staphylococcus 2.5 log reduction 3.5 log reduction N/Aaureus

The garments are preferably sewn with flat lock seams in order that theseams are not a source of irritation to the wearer. The garments wouldalso preferably use labels that are heat sealed or heat transfer printedto minimize irritation to the wearer. The fabrics of the invention canbe used in any end use where the fabrics will contact the skin,including but not limited to clothing, sheeting, undergarments, etc.(For purposes of this application, the term “base layer garment”indicates a garment intended to be worn next to a wearer's skin.)

In the specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are usedin a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose oflimitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

1. A garment designed to enhance the comfort of a wearer's skincomprising: a knit, substantially all-polyester fabric, wherein saidfabric defines a wearer-contacting surface and an exterior surface, andwherein said wearer contacting surface has a dynamic coefficient offriction of less than about 0.26 when tested according to ASTM TestMethod D1894-00, a Kawabata System Bending Force of about 0.02 or less,a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches or greater after 5 minutes, aDrying Time of less than about 170 minutes, moisture transport per unittime of at least about 0.023 g/min /sq m, and a functioningantimicrobial.
 2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said garmentcomprises at least one seam, and wherein said at least one seam is inthe form of a flatlock seam.
 3. The garment according to claim 1,wherein said fabric further comprises a static coefficient of frictionof about 0.27 or less.
 4. The garment according to claim 1, wherein saidfabric consists essentially of spun yarns made from staple fibers havinga denier per filament of about 1.5 or less.
 5. The garment according toclaim 1, wherein said fabric consists essentially of filament yarnscomprising individual fibers having a denier per filament of about oneor finer.
 6. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said fabric is ajersey knit fabric having at least about 28 wales per inch.
 7. Thegarment according to claim 1, wherein said garment is in the form of aT-shirt.
 8. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said garment is inthe form of a nether garment.
 9. A fabric for use in base layer garmentscomprising: a knit fabric consisting essentially of yarns about 160denier or less in size consisting of polyester filaments about 1 dpf insize or finer, said fabric further comprising at least one chemicaltreatment for facilitating moisture transport and a functioningantimicrobial, wherein said fabric has a dynamic coefficient of frictionon at least one surface of about 0.24 or less when tested according toASTM D1894-00 test method, a Vertical Wicking of about 4.9 inches orgreater, a Drying Time of less than about 100 minutes, a moisturetransport per unit time of greater than about 0.028 g/min/sq m, and aKawabata System bending force of about 0.01 or less.
 10. The fabricaccording to claim 9, wherein said fabric has a static coefficient offriction of about 0.27 or less.
 11. A fabric for use in base layergarments comprising: a knit fabric consisting essentially of spunpolyester yarns about 26 cotton count or finer, said yarn being madefrom staple fibers having a denier per filament of about 1.5 or less,said fabric further comprising at least one chemical treatment forfacilitating moisture transport and a functioning antimicrobial, whereinsaid fabric has a dynamic coefficient of friction on at least onesurface of about 0.24 or less when tested according to ASTM D1894-00Test method, a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches or greater, DryingTime of less than 170 minutes, moisture transport per unit time ofgreater than about 0.023 g/min/sq m, and a Kawabata System bending forceof about 0.012 or less.
 12. The fabric according to claim 11, whereinsaid fabric has a static coefficient of friction of about 0.27 or less.13. A method of improving the condition of sensitive skin comprising thesteps of: wearing a base layer of substantially all polyester with afirst layer surface contacting at least a portion of the wearer's skin,wherein said first layer surface has a dynamic coefficient of frictionof less than about 0.26, and said base layer has a Kawabata Systembending of about 0.02 or less, a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches orgreater after 5 minutes, drying time of less than about 170 minutes,moisture transport per unit time of at least 0.023 g/min/sq m, and afunctioning antimicrobial.
 14. A knit, substantially all-polyesterfabric, having a functioning antimicrobial, wherein at least one surfacehas a dynamic coefficient of friction of less than about 0.26 whentested according to ASTM Test Method D1894-00, a Kawabata System BendingForce of about 0.02 or less, a Vertical Wicking of about 3 inches orgreater after 5 minutes, a Drying Time of less than about 170 minutes,moisture transport per unit time of at least about 0.023 g/min /sq m.